Garrett Stewart camper from 1982-2022

​On to the next camp in eternity on April 19, 2023, age 52
Garrett loved to plant. His wonder of things in nature was genuine.
His enthusiasm for the first peak of a green sprout coming out of the ground was a true birthday celebration met with screams of excitement and a little dance with hands raised up high.  He loved to plant daffodils because he could use the fancy bulb digging tool. He used it often in his sandbox even when he wasn’t planting daffodils. Garrett loved personal quiet moments. His sandbox was his therapy place. This is where he would go to get away from the crowd, an obnoxious fellow camper or an event he didn’t feel like participating in at the moment. Once he was in his sandbox it would take a meal or a very convincing staff person to coax him out to the next thing or to use the restroom. Garrett could hold his bladder the whole day if he wasn’t reminded and taken. He would just be absorbed with the moment he was experiencing and did not want to be bothered by petty interruptions like toileting. He would create piles of sand and then move the sand to another pile. When we put fake jewels and match box cars in the sand, he would squeal with joy as if he had uncovered the treasures of Egypt. 

Garrett loved to create. Painting, beading, weaving, coloring, doing anything with his hands, except work. Work had to be a game or well, it was work.

Garrett loved to play. He loved water fights, whipped cream pie fights, splashing in the river, searching for gold, catching a fish, paddle boating, riding a horse, and shooting the bow and arrow. His favorite play time was on stage imitating with his camp mates, “The Three Stooges”. Mostly throwing pretend whipped cream pies at each other. He embodied slap stick comedy. 

We knew Garrett longer than our own children. He held each one as a baby when they arrived in this world.
Our second son took “Garrett” as his middle name. It is a name that is often interpreted as God’s great warrior, “strength with a spear”; qualities such as persevering, tenacious, courageous, a leader. His spear pierced our hearts with memories that bring smiles, laughter, and amazement. His life challenges us to live as Garrett, planting, loving, playing, resting, and living in the moment with wonder.
 
He will be greatly missed. Jerry and Laura Pierce and all at Evans Creek Up Camp
For those wanting to honor Garrett or share memories with the family you may go to www.ohairwards.com

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